United Microelectronics Corp. has posted a profit for the year 2002. The Taiwan based company made US$1.9 billion in revenue and $203 million in profits during 2002, in contrast to 2001 when the company recorded an operating loss. UMC plans on spending about $500 million on capital spending in 2003, a relatively modest expenditure. Right now, UMC's fabs are running at about 60% capacity, so it doesn't make sense for the company to spend heavily building more fabs if demand doesn't improve substantially. UMC's CEO conceded that last quarter only 6% of shipments were .13 micron, but claims that .13 micron shipments should be a significant source of revenue for 2003. 6% is considerably less than TSMC's (UMC's main rival) .13 micron shipments, but UMC's plans to transition to 90 nm appear to be just as aggressive as TSMC's. Like TSMC, UMC is claiming that it will begin sampling 90 nm parts next quarter, and is working with companies like Xilinx to speed development.

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UMC -“glad to be back”(12:07pm EST Thu Jan 30 2003)60% util bring'n $1.9B rev & $203M in profit. Profits a little low for those #s but who cares when the honeys flow'n and with all those other hives a buzz'n. - by tech

Yeah!(4:59pm EST Thu Jan 30 2003)All your base are belong to us!Someone set us up the bomb!Launch all “ZIG”- by How are you gentleme